In short: A student HMO refurbishment upgrades a shared house let to students, using hard-wearing finishes and planned around the academic year so the work is finished before the next tenancy starts. We carry this out across Renfrewshire, priced against the HMO rules for Scotland and the council’s own standards.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- PA
- Main towns
- Paisley, Renfrew, Johnstone, Erskine
What does student HMO refurbishment in Renfrewshire involve?
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Photo handover before move-in
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
Which rules apply in Renfrewshire?
- Every HMO needs a council licence: 3 or more people who are not all from one or two families, sharing basic amenities. Licences last up to 3 years.
- Kitchen, WC and bathroom ratios come from council standards; one WC and one bath or shower per 5 people is a common figure.
- The tolerable standard requires interlinked smoke alarms in the main living room and circulation spaces and a heat alarm in the kitchen; licensed HMOs must meet the council’s higher standard.
- An EICR before the first let and at least every 5 years, with C1 and C2 items fixed, PAT testing of supplied appliances and RCD protection.
- Landlords must also be on the Scottish landlord register, renewed every 3 years.
Scottish councils set their own HMO licence standards and planning policies. Every HMO needs a licence, so check the council’s standards before you design the layout.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Renfrewshire?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full refurbishment per letting room, with a share of communal areas (excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £4,000 – £9,000 | £3,800 – £8,550 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £7,600 – £17,100 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,200 – £8,550 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £760 – £1,900 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £5,700 – £11,400 | house |
Typical time on site: 2–8 weeks over summer. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Student HMO refurbishment by town in Renfrewshire
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Renfrewshire
When should I book a summer student refurbishment?
By spring if you can. The window between tenancies is short and contractors in university towns book up quickly.
Do student HMOs need a licence?
The same licensing rules apply as for any HMO. Many university towns also run additional licensing schemes, so we check the address.
Do you carry out student HMO refurbishment across Renfrewshire?
Yes, across the whole of Renfrewshire, including Paisley, Renfrew, Johnstone.
Who licenses HMOs in Renfrewshire?
Renfrewshire council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in Renfrewshire
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Renfrewshire
- Communal kitchen refits in Renfrewshire
- Ensuite installation in Renfrewshire
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Renfrewshire
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Renfrewshire
- Full HMO refurbishment in Renfrewshire
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in Renfrewshire
- Fire doors in Renfrewshire